Daniel Farke has categorically stated that one of his summer signings will not take part in Leeds United’s Premier League clash against Burnley.
The Leeds manager has several selection decisions to make this weekend, as the nine Leeds players who were on international duty return to Thorp Arch.
Jaka Bijol received rave reviews from the Slovenian media after his performances in their World Cup qualifiers, as he looks to make his Premier League debut for Leeds.
The Leeds boss also has a decision to make over his goalkeeper, with Lucas Perri returning to full fitness to challenge Karl Darlow for his place in the Leeds side.
Now, Daniel Farke has ruled out the possibility of one new signing taking his place in the side as Leeds face Burnley in a crucial game.
Daniel Farke settles Leeds United selection debate
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Leeds’ important meeting with Burnley, Farke confirmed that Darlow would retain his place in the starting line-up in place of Perri.
According to Farke, although Perri has been able to play a full part in training, the absence of the likes of Joe Rodon and other key members of the Leeds defence on international duty means Perri needs more time to be ready to play.
Farke said: “The positive thing is definitely that Lucas is back in team training. Of course, we also signed him with this potential, so it means Lucas also has a good chance. I will just name the squad tomorrow after our last training, to be the first time since a while to be back with us on the travelling squad.
“But definitely not the topic right now for the starting line-up straight away, because his last game is, I think, seven or eight weeks ago. So he played the last time in August, and of course, after being out for such a long time, he’s not at 100%.
He continued: “None of the players who are crucial for him, centre-backs, central midfielders, full-backs, were with us.
“So we’ve just had one session with the whole team together, and for that, after being seven weeks without a game, not being in his rhythm, new in this country, yeah, it’s no chance of him being in the starting line-up.”
- READ MORE: Leeds United among the worst in key Premier League metric, Daniel Farke can’t afford Burnley repeat
How many games has Lucas Perri missed for Leeds?
Lucas Perri has endured a rocky start to life with Leeds following his £15 million move from French giants Lyon in the summer.
The Brazilian goalkeeper missed a chunk of Leeds’ pre-season campaign through injury before recovering to take his place in the side in the Whites’ first game of the season against Everton.
Games missed by Lucas Perri
- Fulham 1-0 Leeds
- Wolves 1-3 Leeds
- Leeds 2-2 Bournemouth
- Leeds 1-2 Tottenham
Perri started the season with two clean sheets from three games before the first international break, before injury ruled him out of Leeds’ game with Fulham.
Leeds’ number one has now missed four games of the season, which will become five against Burnley. With four games before the next international break, Perri could be made to wait before he gets his next shot for Leeds.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
